It Started With a Cake

Ch36. Catch Up

"So- Effie how have you been?" Peeta's words are the first to fill the room.

I look up from my stew to see Effie give a kind smile.

"Oh I've been just fine thank you Peeta" she gently responds, "how have you been?"

"We've been good thanks" Peeta replies courteously. I smile as if in agreement with his statement but make sure to stuff my mouth before I'm asked any questions.

However I'm not so lucky.

"How about you Katniss? How was your pregnancy?"

Her question nearly causes me to choke on my mouthful of food but I manage to swallow it before any of it can come up. This is definitely not the kind of conversation I would like to have over dinner, especially with someone like Effie and Haymitch.

But I know she doesn't mean any harm so I do my best to bare a smile, "it was alright" I tell her as truthfully as I can, "rewarding" I add with a small laugh when I can't think of anything else to say about it.

I Watch as Effie first gives me a small smile, then gives Willow an even bigger one, cooing over at the small girl as she plays contently in the stroller adjacent to the dining table.

"I bet it was" she agrees, finally taking a bite of her own meal and silencing our conversation for the time being.

Clearing his throat Peeta is the one who changes the conversation, "so what brings you to 12 Effie?"

She smiles, "this little one of course" she gestures over to Willow, "I would have come earlier but Haymitch insisted I give you two some space first"

I'm surprised by her words, then intrigued. I look up at Haymitch as if for confirmation but he's avoiding my eyes, clearly knowing where my mind has gone; since when have Effie and Haymitch been in contact.

"How long are you staying?" Peeta asks, satisfying one of the questions on my mind.

Effie shares a warm smile then shrugs, "not sure really"

I watch as Peeta nods slowly, "did you need a place to stay?" He asks in a way subtly offering out our place.

For a moment I'm annoyed at him for not talking over it with me first, but my anger is quickly subdued as Effie declines.

"Oh I'll be staying with Haymitch" she adds cheerily.

"Oh" both Peeta and I reply in unison.

It's quiet after that, just the sound of cutlery scraping against plates and chewing of food. Throughout it I manage to share a few quick glances with Peeta, who by the look of it is also intrigued by the scene in front of us.

A few more pleasantries are exchanged, mainly between Peeta and Effie, the talkative bunch of this group. Peeta asks about the capitol and in turn Effie asks about district 12.

We share news about the rebuilding of 12, a process that is still occurring nearly sixteen years later, Peeta discusses in detail the opening of his bakery and for once throughout this dinner he talks with genuine excitement.

As the last bits of food is finished up Peeta is quick to offer out his help with cleaning up the dishes, and surprisingly so is Effie.

She may still be capitol but Effie has simmered over the years.

That just leaves me and Haymitch, and of course Willow who at this point is fed up with playing by herself and instead insists I hold her.

I can still hear Effie's bubbly voice from the kitchen, babbling on about some new place in the capitol.

"So Effie huh?" I nudge Haymitch playfully, settling in beside him on his couch.

Haymitch scowls, "shut up"

I laugh, "just saying, you two seem pretty close"

Willow babbles in my arms, reaching out her arms towards Haymitch.

He gets the hint and gently lifts her from my arms, seemingly happy with the distraction.

"Hi peanut" he coos at her. She coos back excitedly.

I gently squeeze the bit of baby fat on her little chubby arms. "Do you want to tell uncle haymitch how you went swimming today?" I ask her sweetly, using the voice I reserve for her.

Haymitch gasps playfully, lifting one of her tiny hands, "you went swimming?"

Watching the two of them it's almost like they're really having a conversation, despite the fact Willow cannot speak yet.

"We took her down to the lake" I tell Haymitch, as if explaining what Willow can't. "She really liked it"

Haymitch grins, "mini you this one is"

I chuckle, "no not really, more Peeta"

"And thank god for that" Haymitch Laughs, poking me playfully.

"Oh look at you guys" Effie's cooing words come from across the room, reappearing from the kitchen with Peeta in tow.

Effie slowly makes her way over to us taking a seat on one of the single chairs in the sitting room.

She talks to all of us but she mainly has her eyes trained on Willow and I know she is itching to hold her again.

"You can hold her if you want" I suggest when no words have been uttered from the crowd.

"Oh yes please" she beams over at me and quickly Haymitch is gently transferring Willow into her arms.

The sight is one that feels completely natural to me, a scene that makes complete sense; two of the people who care the most about me and Peeta, holding what in turn is something of a grandchild to them.

They both hold such a delicate touch, one that I could expect from Effie, but one I could never imagine on Haymitch up until this moment.

They coo quietly over her together and in that moment I know I can trust Willow in their care.